Transgender History, Part I: An Anthropology of Gender‐Nonconformity Across Ages and Cultures

ABSTRACT

Transgender experiences have been attested since the dawn of civilization. Long before gender was reinterpreted as socially constructed and non‐binary by 20th‐century Western scholarship, concepts such as not belonging to the gender assigned at birth, transitioning, and being “neither a man nor a woman” integrated the belief systems and practices of various societies worldwide. This review examines anthropological and historical records of trans, non‐binary, and gender‐nonconforming behavior spanning six continents and five millennia. Moreover, we investigate how trans experiences interact with local traditions, family structures, laws, religions, and other social institutions. Finally, we explore trans‐inclusive historiographical trends and discuss the relevance of transgender history awareness for professional and academic endeavors beyond the social sciences.